Need more snack ideas?

You should probably be eating more apples, and not just because they keep the doctor away. Apples are packed with nutrition, but they're also easy to find and less expensive than many other types of fruit. Allow me to convince you...

What's so great about apples?

They're full of fiber! Fiber helps to prevent constipation and keep your digestive system healthy. Some research suggests it also helps prevent certain types of cancer. Fiber is mostly found in the skin of the apple, so don't peel it off!​

Apples last along time, which means they are very budget friendly. You can buy them in bulk and keep them in your refrigerator for weeks without them going bad. ​

They're an easy, smart snack. Try dipping slices of them in peanut butter or other nut butter for a yummy and filling snack.

Peaches

Peaches contain Vitamin A, which is good to keep your eyes and skin healthy!

Choosing peaches

Choose peaches with reddish and velvety skin

Storing and preparing peaches​

Rinse peaches before eating! They can be eaten whole, but make sure to avoid the pit inside

​Keep peaches out of sunlight and at room temperature until ripe. Once they get ripe, put peaches in refrigerator. They last up to five days!

Try these Peach Recipes!

Why you may not see as many Peaches in Connecticut this year:​Even though there was not so much snow this Winter, the temperature dropped to below zero many times! The freezing cold temperatures killed most of this summer's peach crop, which is why there may not be many peaches at CT Farmers Markets this summer. We hope that next summer they will be back! Don't worry, you should see all other stone fruits available at the CT Farmers Markets this summer!

Peach Cobbler

Peach Bran Muffins

Plums

Plum Cucumber Salad

Storing and preparing plums

Allow ripe plums to sit and reach room temperature, this will make for the sweetest and juiciest flavor! Once they hit room temperature, they can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.

If the plums are not ripe yet, leave them out on the counter until they get ripe before moving them to the refrigerator

Try this plum recipe!

What is in plums?

Plums contain Vitamin C which is helpful in fighting off colds and healing cuts!

More Stone Fruits

Peppers come in all different colors and sizes. You can eat them raw or cook them into a tasty and healthy recipe! Read below to find out more about peppers.

Storing Peppers

Store peppers in the refrigerator. They can last up to 7-10 days especially if you put them in a plastic bag.

Purchasing Peppers

Choose firm peppers with no soft spots! They should have smooth skin and even color.

Preparing Peppers

Rinse peppers in the sink for cleaning. You want to remove the stem and the seeds inside before eating or cooking with them. To do this, cut the pepper with a knife like in the image to the left. Then take the stem and seeds out!

What is in Peppers?

Peppers are high in Vitamin C, which helps to fighting colds and heal cuts! They have twice the amount of Vitamin C as citrus fruits! They also have a lot of Vitamin A.

Hot Peppers

Peppers can be hot also! Hot peppers get their heat from Capsaicin. This is a substance in the seeds of peppers, and when you eat them they are very hot! If you like spicy food, don't worry about eating the seeds! If you touch spicy peppers, make sure you wash your hands before touching or rubbing your eyes. Capsaicin can burn your eyes. Some examples of hot peppers are habanero, jalapeño and ghost peppers.

Services

Support

​This information was funded by the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP.SNAP helps low-income people buy nutritious food for a better diet. To get more information contact the CT Department of Social Services at 1 855 626-6632 or www.CT.gov/dss.